JP6550187B2 - Stand-alone input device - Google Patents

Description

  The described embodiments relate to consumer electronic devices. More particularly, the described embodiments relate to methods and apparatus suitable for receiving tactile user input for control of a computing device.

  Most consumer electronic devices include a touch-based interface such as a keyboard, touch screen, moveable button, and the like. In a touch-based interface with moveable components, the user experience can be influenced by feedback generated during movement of the moveable components, such as resistance to movement, smoothness of movement, and range of movement. Generally, the user perceives a particular combination of touch-based feedback as a more pleasing feel than other combinations. In addition, from a visual point of view, users often view the compact and smart design as more aesthetically attractive. Smart attractive and compact designs that have visual appeal tend to have a compact enclosure that does not have much space for a wide range of operations associated with touch based interface components.

  The stand-alone input device may be a touch pad that provides touch input to an associated host computing device. The stand-alone input device includes a wedge base defining an inner cavity, a touch plate coupled to the wedge base and having a touch surface disposed on the inner cavity, and a plurality of wedge bases coupled to the touch plate And can include a cantilevered beam. The wedge shaped base can be configured to rest on the outer support surface such that the touch surface is presented obliquely to the outer support surface. The touch plate can be configured to receive touch input to an associated host computing device. The cantilevered beam can be configured to transmit the force from the touch input to the sensor in the wedge base.

  A stand-alone input device is also coupled to the cantilevered beam and integrated with a haptic generator configured to generate haptic output in response to the touch input, and within the wall of the wedge base, and associated host computing A switch assembly comprising a sliding component having an antenna component configured to communicate with the device, an antenna resonant cavity disposed within the internal cavity, and a pin extending through the wedge base as a wall. And can be included. The switch assembly may also include a switch beam having a projection that engages with a plurality of recesses disposed in the detent area on the sliding component.

  Other aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the present invention.

  The described embodiments are readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to like structural elements.

1 shows the appearance of a stand-alone input device according to the described embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows the appearance of the back wall of the stand-alone input device of Fig. 1 according to the described embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows an external view of the inside of the base portion of the stand-alone input device of FIG. 1 according to the described embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of a front boss coupling for the stand-alone input device of FIG. 1 according to the described embodiment.

3 shows the appearance of a rear boss coupling for the stand-alone input device of FIG. 1 according to the described embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows the appearance inside the touch plate of the stand-alone input device of FIG. 1 according to the described embodiment.

FIG. 3A shows an overview of the overall switch assembly of the stand-alone input device of FIG. 1 according to the described embodiment.

  In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the concepts underlying the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments can be practiced without using some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the underlying concept.

  In general, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to stand-alone input devices that are well suited for use with computing devices. In particular, a stand-alone input device can provide tactile feedback that receives tactile input from a user and provides the user with a physical sensation beyond what he or she has experienced using a conventional input device. In one embodiment, the stand-alone input device has a generally wedge shape, and the touch sensitive surface can be diagonally exposed to the user. The overall wedge shape not only provides a more comfortable user experience, but can also enhance the aesthetic appeal of stand-alone input devices. For example, if the stand-alone input device is in the form of a touch pad having a touch surface provided at an angle to the horizontal support surface, the user can more easily view and access the touch surface. A stand-alone input device can communicate with a host device using a wireless communication and / or a wired communication channel. The host device can include any computing device that can be controlled by the signals provided by the stand-alone input device. For example, the host device may take the form of a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet device, and the like.

  In the remainder of this discussion, and without loss of generality, the standalone input device is discussed in terms of a trackpad prepared to receive user-provided touch events that can be interpreted as control signals by the host device. Do. A touch event can include, for example, finger gestures from more than one finger applied simultaneously. The gesture can also include single finger touch events such as swipes or taps. The trackpad can be used to provide control signals to the host device via the communication channel. The communication channel may be wired or wireless. Thus, the track pad can at least form the relevant part with a material such as plastic or ceramic that is radio frequency (RF) transparent. In this way, the passage of the RF transmission is neither blocked nor blocked.

  The touch pad may be wedge-shaped, meaning that the touch surface is inclined at an angle to the support surface on which the touch pad rests. In this way, the wedge shape provides both aesthetic appeal as well as user access improvement. The trackpad may include a housing having side walls that can be shaped so that the back facing wall has a greater height than the opposing forward facing wall. For example, the sidewall can have a triangular shape that tapers from a first height at the rear of the track pad to a second height at the front of the reduced track pad. The touch sensitive touch surface can be formed of a transparent material and have a textured outer surface and an inner surface overlaid with an opaque layer visible through the transparent touch surface. The opaque layer can be formed of a material (such as ink) having a color or other surface feature that is visible through the transparent material of the touch surface. To facilitate wireless communication, the trackpad responded to the transmission of RF energy within the frequency range used for wireless communication with the host device with the back wall having an external aperture covered by a decorative RF transparent layer And an internal opening having a size and a shape.

  The housing can be made of a strong, durable yet lightweight material. Such materials can include composite materials and / or metals such as aluminum. Aluminum has many properties that make it a good choice for multi-part housings. For example, aluminum is a good conductor that can provide a good electrical ground, can be easily machined, and has well known metallurgical properties. Furthermore, since aluminum is not highly reactive and nonmagnetic, it can be an essential requirement when the portable computing system has an RF function such as WiFi or BlueTooth. A protective layer can also be disposed or formed on the outer surface of the housing for both the protection of the housing and the provision of an aesthetically attractive (both visual and tactile) finish. The protective layer can be applied to both enhance the aesthetic appeal of the housing and to protect the appearance of the portable computer system. In one embodiment, when the multi-part housing is formed of aluminum, at least the outer surface of the aluminum can be anodized to form a protective layer.

  In order to provide the user with a pleasant aesthetic sensation, the shape of the portable touch pad can have an outline that makes viewing and touch pleasing. In the described embodiment, the housing can have a wedge shape. The wedge shape allows the angle presented by the wedge housing to present the touch pad in an easy-to-use manner when the bottom surface of the portable touch pad is placed on a flat support surface such as a table or desk. The wedge shape can improve the user's interaction with the touch pad by presenting the touch pad surface to the user's finger in a more natural arrangement. In this way, improved ergonomics can help to reduce the amount of stress and strain on the user's wrist.

  The housing can have an edge defining an opening and a trim portion surrounding the opening. In one embodiment, the trim portion may be part of a touch stack defined as a component that can move in response to a force applied to the touch surface. Thus, when a force is applied to the touch surface, the touch stack and associated components move towards the inside of the housing until it contacts the trim portion or other portion of the touch stack acting as a hard stop. Can respond by

  In the described embodiment, the internal actuating component may be attached and supported by a housing providing a unitary structure. Thus, the housing can have an integrally formed support beam with angular displacement relative to the housing. In other words, the support beam can be formed at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the housing, which itself arranges the fastening assembly (such as the boss and the associated fasteners) relative to the tapered structure of the housing It can provide a support structure that can be provided, thereby providing a greater amount of screw engagement. For example, the bosses can be placed under the support beam using caulking techniques that expand the bosses to facilitate securing the threaded fasteners within the bosses in areas that will not be easily accessible. In this way, the screw fastener can be locked in place using a crimp connector, thereby locking the location relative to the suction plate used in combination with the haptic engine, and of Z (vertical) movement An illusion can be provided to the user. In one embodiment, the printed circuit board (PCB) can include plated openings (also called vias) that transfer air / oxygen to the ink layer disposed on the inner surface of the touch surface. This is particularly important when the ink layer is formed of a white / whiteish ink, since it can prevent the color change of the ink layer due to a known chemical reaction. The ESD shield can be formed of a conductive foam capable of conducting electrical energy in the form of discharging along a conduction path behind the battery. In addition, the user can use the integrated switch system to switch the touchpad's current operating state (ON, OFF, STBY). The wireless antenna system can be integrated within the housing.

  These and other embodiments are described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a stand-alone input device according to the described embodiment. Stand-alone touch pad 100 is configured to detect a touch or touch event, as well as a base 102 having a tapered or wedge-shaped cross section configured to rest on a bottom or edge 101 on an external support surface. A touch surface 104 can be included. The base 102 can have sidewalls 106 that have a tapered appearance. More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, the two side walls 106 have a triangular shape such that the side walls 106 have a height h ₁ at the rear portion 108 which decreases to a height h ₂ at the front portion 109 . Thus, the touch surface 104 is presented to the user at an angle θ with respect to the external support surface. In the described embodiment, the touch surface 104 can include or be coupled to a sensor that can detect touch events initiated by the user. To provide an enhanced user experience, touch pad 100 can include a haptic actuator (not shown) that can respond to touch events by generating haptic response 112. In some cases, in addition to the haptic response, the touch pad 100 can detect the magnitude of the force F applied to the touch surface 104. The magnitude of the force F can be used as a control signal that can be used by a host device (not shown) in communication with the touch pad 100. The touch surface 104 can be formed of a transparent material and have a textured outer surface and an inner surface coated with a layer of material that can be used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the touch surface 104. For example, the inner surface of the touch surface 104 can be overlaid with a layer of ink having a color or surface feature visible through the transparent material forming the touch surface 104.

  FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the back wall of the stand-alone input device of FIG. 1 according to the described embodiment. The back wall 114 can be disposed at the back 108 of the touch pad 100. The back wall 114 may include an opening 116 which may include an integrated antenna 118 which may be covered by a decorative overlay 120 which may be used to provide the back wall 114 with a continuous appearance. The openings 116 can be sized and shaped to allow the passage of RF energy in a frequency range compatible with the wireless communication protocol used by the touchpad 100 to communicate with a host device. This is particularly important when the base 102 and the back wall 114 are formed of an RF opaque material such as a metal such as aluminum, stainless steel or the like. The back wall 114 can also include an opening 122 that is sized and shaped to accommodate the connector assembly 124. Opening 126 can be used to accommodate switch assembly 128, which will be described in more detail below.

  FIG. 3 shows the appearance inside the base portion of the stand-alone input device of FIG. 1 according to the described embodiment. The illustrated base portion includes the base 102 and the various components within the touch pad 100 from which the touch surface portion has been removed. The base 102 can have an edge 202 that defines the opening 204 and a raised trim portion 206 that surrounds and defines the opening 204. In one embodiment, the trim portion 206 may be part of a touch stack defined as a component that can move in response to a force applied to the touch surface 104. More particularly, the trim portion 206 can act as a stop that limits the downward movement of the touch stack. Thus, when force is applied to the touch surface 104, the touch stack responds by moving toward the interior of the base 102 until it contacts the trim portion 206, or another portion of the touch stack acting as a hard stop. It can.

  In various embodiments, the entire touch pad 100 may be more integrated and less modular in nature, and may include an outer housing or enclosure that holds the internal components together. Many internal components are attached to the housing or enclosure along with the base 102 and the like. The various components in or on the base 102 include cantilever beam 208, strain gauge 210, gel pad 212, battery 214, haptic engine 216, multilayer board (MLB) 218, shelf 220, diamond-shaped emboss 224 and stipple pattern One or more gel plates 222, which may include 226, an antenna resonant cavity 228 proximate to the integrated antenna 118, a switch cavity 229, a front boss coupling 230, a rear boss coupling 240, and a switch assembly 128 .

  The cantilevered beam 208 can be operative to couple the touch stack to the base 102, thereby nominally holding the touch stack in the rest or "up" position and also pushing it down into the activated or "down" position. it can. The beam 208 can support a beam that can be separated from other internal components. In some cases, beam 208 can be integrated with an external housing or enclosure. The beam can have strain gauges 210 on or near the beam and can sense strain when the touch surface 104 is pressed. The strain gauges can then facilitate activation of one or more actuators when sufficient strain is sensed.

  The beam 208 can be angled as shown for several reasons. The angulation of the beam can increase the length and hence the lever lever leverage. Also, as the beam extends around the battery cavity holding the battery 214, beam angulation provides more interior space for maximum battery size. In addition, the angled beams can shift the boss couplings 230, 240 and the location of the screws therein to a better position in the device which allows more screw engagement.

  The haptic engine 216 includes an actuator that can be an electromagnetic coiled motor that pulls or swings a steel component, and can move or vibrate a small amount, such as about 30 microns. The steel component can be coupled to one or more gel-based components or pads 212 that dampen the vibrations and also cause some of the motion to pass along the beam 208 to the touch surface 104, where the user feels tactile You can experience feedback. The gel may be a silicone based gel that facilitates proper transfer of motion or vibration between components.

  A typical touch pad or track pad is physically pushed up and down when pressed by the user. Instead, the touch pad 100 swings or vibrates in a small amount and horizontally at a speed at which it feels as it experiences vertical movement of the touch surface. The strain gauges 210 sense force to determine how hard the user is pushing the touch surface. This amount of force can then be used as an input to the associated computing device. This can include analog quantities that are actually measured and communicated, such as in force feedback embodiments, and / or can include discrete or increasing quantities such as light clicks and deep clicks.

  The gel can be contained within a gel pad 212 that can be molded or bonded to the gel plate 222, which can be adhered or bonded to the beam 208. An adsorption plate (not shown) can be attached or bonded to one or more of the gel or gel plates. The beam 208 flexes like a spring when actuated and is sized and angled to allow a larger central cavity and space than is filled by the battery 214, regardless of where the touch surface 104 is pushed in , Still promote similar performance. The force bend 209 may be integrally formed with the beam 208 at the end of the beam in some embodiments to form a cantilevered lever, as shown. Alternatively, the force flexures 209 can be part of the touch stack as separate components below the beam 208 and the cantilever lever, allowing the device to sense a touch on the touch surface 104 Make it The gel pads 212 are at both ends of the force bend. The shear stiffness of the gel can be selected to transmit and damp the motion and vibrations with the desired magnitude and velocity.

  The shelf 220 may be integrated into the housing at the rear end of the base 102. Below the shelf, a location close to the antenna window may be an antenna resonant chamber 228 that can limit interference or noise from the MLB 218 and other electronic components. The antenna chamber 228 can include feed and receive points for RF communication. The through slot 116 in the housing is sized to be tuned for RF communication.

  The front gel plate 222 carries the gel 212 and adds rigidity to the touch stack. The gel pad 212 is overmolded on the gel plate 222. Rhombus embossments 224 can be added to the front gel plate 222 to provide additional stiffness. A stipple pattern 226 can be applied to one or both of the gel plates 222 to relieve surface stresses that may be caused by the non-flatness near the gel plates, particularly the emboss 224. Although the stipple pattern 226 is shown to cover a small area between the emboss 224 and the lower edge of the gel plate 222, such stipple pattern may be located elsewhere and is larger It will be appreciated that it may be, or both. For example, the stipple pattern 226 may instead be placed on top of the emboss 224. Alternatively, the entire gel plate 222 may be covered with a dot pattern. This may or may not include the top of the embossment 224. Other locations and sizes are also possible.

  An ESD shield comprising pads and conductive foam creates a conductive path behind the battery 214 to shield the battery. The foam bonds to the pad along the perimeter of the polyimide shield that protects the battery 214. The pad joins the various conductive components, which may include an outer housing which may be aluminum or other conductive component.

  FIG. 4A shows the appearance of the front boss coupling for the stand-alone input device of FIG. 1 according to the described embodiment. The front boss couplings 230 secure the front of each beam 208 to the base 102 using apertures 232 through the beams. A screw 234 on the beam is screwed into the threaded boss 236 under the beam that enters the beam aperture 232 from the top and enters the aperture from the bottom. The threaded boss 236 can be integrally formed on the base 102 or the housing.

  FIG. 4B shows the appearance of the rear boss coupling for the stand-alone input device of FIG. 1 according to the described embodiment. Rear boss couplings 240 secure the rear of each beam 208 to the base 102 or housing using apertures 242 through the beams. The beam 208 may be provided on a threaded boss 246 which may be integrally formed in the base or housing again and may extend into the beam opening 242 from the bottom again. A conical caulking tool can then be used to insert the beam opening 242 from the top and engage with the threaded boss 246. In various embodiments, the threaded boss can have an upper portion 247 having a non-threaded larger diameter opening and a lower portion 248 having a threaded smaller diameter opening. A conical caulking tool can be placed in the upper portion 247 having a larger diameter to force the upper wall to squeeze until it is deformed and crushed to fit the wall of the beam 208 in the beam opening 242 . The conical caulking tool can then be removed and the screw 244 can be inserted from above into the beam opening 242, the lower part of which can be engaged with the lower threaded portion 248 of the boss 246 which does not deform during the caulking process.

  A similar caulking process can be used to deform the boss material into the openings in other desired device components. Such a caulking process may or may not include the threads of the screws and bosses. Other components thus fixed to the base or outer housing can include, for example, an actuator. By caulking the upper wall of the boss into the side wall of the beam opening for a tighter connection between the housing and the beam, these components require only a small amount using conventional screws or fastening methods Do not move or shift relative to each other as can occur in

  FIG. 5 shows the appearance inside the touch plate of the stand-alone input device of FIG. 1 according to the described embodiment. The touch plate 300 may have a touch surface 104 on its outside, and may be transparent or translucent glass backed by an ink, which may be white or any other color. The touch plate 300 can have a trim portion 302 around the perimeter that can function as a hard stop. The trim portion 302 may be aesthetically pleasing as it looks outside and also covers or hides the touch PCB 304 located within the touch plate 300. The interior of the trim portion 302 is a touch PCB 304 that is adjacent to the trim portion 302 and may be edge to edge aligned. The touch PCB 304 can have through plated vias 306 to prevent air from passing through the touch PCB 304 and causing the white ink on the touch PCB to become blue.

  The gel plate 222 can be attached to the inner surface of the touch plate 300 at an appropriate location. Strain gauges can be attached to the bends in the base 102 and shape notches 310 along the interior of the touch plate 300 can provide clearance for this arrangement. The suction plate 320 can be adhered to the inner surface of the touch plate 300 at an appropriate place. The suction plate 320 can be L-shaped including an extension 322 extending into the space proximate to the haptic engine 216 disposed within the base portion 102. The entire track pad 100 may swing slightly when actuated by the user. Even if the actual movement or vibration is in the horizontal or XY direction, it can be felt as movement in the vertical or Z direction. This may be caused by the motion or vibration of the haptic engine 216, which motion or vibration contacts the touch surface 104 through the suction plate 320 and / or the beam 208 through the gel pad 212. It may be sent to 104.

  FIG. 6 shows the appearance of the entire switch assembly of the stand-alone input device of FIG. 1 according to the described embodiment. The switch assembly 128 can be disposed proximate to the opening 126 in the back wall 114 of the base 102. The integrated switch mechanism can include a sliding component 402 having a pin 404 or other portion that slides back and forth in a slot or opening 126 in the housing. The sliding component 402 can also be disposed in a pocket or cavity 129 in the housing or base 102 and can also include an integral detent area 406 that can be integrally formed on the pin 404 and the flange of the sliding component . The detent area 406 can include a plurality of recesses 408, 410 on its back surface to accommodate different positions of the sliding switch. The sliding component 402 can also have a sliding surface 412 and one or more nubs or protrusions 414 that function to minimize friction with the inner surface 103 of the housing. The rear portion 416 of the sliding component 402 can help to provide overall mass and stability.

  The switch beam 420 can also be provided to bias the sliding component 402 relative to the housing and to engage the recesses 408, 410 in the detent area 406. The switch beam 420 can include an engagement mechanism or protrusion 422 adapted to engage the recess 408, 410 as the sliding component 402 slides between different positions. The engagement mechanism 422 may be integrally formed with another region of the switch beam 420 and disposed at the end of the flexure arm 423 extending away from that region. The flexure arm 423 can move up and down as may be required for the engagement mechanism 422 to move up and down to engage and disengage the recesses 408, 410. Such engagement may provide "clicks," snaps, or other noticeable feedback as the engagement mechanism moves from one recess to another. Alternatively, a flex arm or other configuration designed to allow slight movement of the engagement mechanism 422 to facilitate shifting between the recesses 208 and 410 is also possible. The remaining portion of the switch beam 420, other than the engagement mechanism 422 and the bending arm 423, may be attached to the device housing, such as by another integrated mechanism or protrusion 424 that locks the switch beam position relative to the housing in place through the boss 426. It may remain stationary. Separate through bosses, screws or other fasteners 428 can serve both to hold the switch beam 420 in place relative to the housing and also to limit movement of the sliding component 402.

  The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the present invention. Further, the present invention should not be limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described, as one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize numerous modifications and variations. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be employed as falling within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (17)

A stand-alone input device,
A base defining an inner cavity, the base configured to rest on an outer support surface;
A touch stack,
A touch plate having an outer surface and an inner surface;
A trim portion surrounding the periphery of the touch plate;
A suction plate including an extension portion adhered to the inner surface of the touch plate and extending into the inner cavity and configured to be close to a haptic engine included in the inner cavity of the base And stack
A pair of cantilevered beams disposed in the internal cavity operative to couple the touch stack to the base;
Wherein the touch plate, the base of which is inclined obliquely with respect to the bottom surface, it can move towards the bottom surface in response to an applied force, stand-alone input device.   The stand-alone input device according to claim 1, wherein the base includes two triangular side walls and a back wall.   The stand-alone input device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the touch plate is transparent or translucent, and the transparent or translucent portion has an inner surface covered with ink.   The stand-alone input device of claim 3, wherein the touch stack further comprises a printed circuit board including a plurality of vias that facilitate the circulation of air to access the ink.   5. A stand-alone according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cantilevered beam of each of the pair of cantilevered beams comprises one or more strain gauges attached thereto to measure the magnitude of the force. Input device.   6. A stand-alone input device according to claim 5, wherein the cantilevered beam of each of the pair of cantilevered beams comprises a shape having a plurality of oblique changes.   7. The stand-alone input device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic engine generates a haptic response that causes horizontal movement of the touch stack in response to the force.   The stand-alone input device according to claim 7, wherein the suction plate is in contact with the haptic engine.   9. The stand-alone input device of claim 8, wherein the trim portion of the touch stack acts as a hard stop to limit movement.   10. A stand-alone input device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an antenna assembly comprising an antenna component integrated in the wall of the base.   11. A switch assembly disposed within the internal cavity, the switch assembly including a sliding component having a pin extending through a wall of the base. Stand-alone type input device described in. The stand-alone input device according to claim 11, wherein the pin extends through the back wall.   The switch assembly according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising a stationary switch beam, wherein the switch beam is configured to engage with a plurality of recesses along a detent area of the sliding component. Stand-alone input device.   The stand-alone input device according to claim 13, wherein the switch beam includes an engagement mechanism disposed on a bending arm. An electronic input device,
A base defining an internal cavity;
A touch stack disposed on the inner cavity and extending to the outer edge of the base, surrounding the inner cavity, and
A touch plate having an external touch surface that is obliquely inclined to a bottom surface of the base;
A trim portion surrounding the periphery of the touch plate;
A touch stack including: a suction plate adhered to an inner surface of the touch plate and extending into the internal cavity;
At least one cantilevered beam disposed within the internal cavity, the touch stack being coupled through the one or more gel pads disposed between the at least one cantilevered beam and the touch stack; At least one cantilever beam operative to couple to the base;
One or more strain gauges disposed on the at least one cantilevered beam to detect the amount of force applied to the external touch surface of the touch stack;
An electronic input device, the touch stack being movable toward the bottom surface of the base in response to the applied force.   The electronic input device according to claim 15, wherein the electronic input device is wireless.   17. Electronic input device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the base comprises a side wall having an opening, the electronic input device further comprising an integrated antenna arranged in the opening, and a decorative overlay covering the opening.

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